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Interview with Mayesh Design Star Jerome Raska

As many of you know, this year we selected not one, but TWO Mayesh Design Stars! They’ll be switching off months, and this January we kicked off 2016 with designer Jerome Raska of Blumz by JR Designs in Detroit, MI. We thought it would be fun for you to get to know our Design Star’s a bit better, so we asked them a few questions – up first, Jerome!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and who you are, so our followers can get to know one of our 2016 Mayesh Design Stars a little bit better!

Growing up in a small rural community in Michigan about 50 miles north of Detroit have a college background in textiles and business management. I have been in the floral industry for over 25 years, starting out in the fashion industry as a visual merchandiser and fashion coordinator.

How did you end up in the flower industry? Was it intentional, or did it just “kind of happen”, as many people in the business claim?

With my visual merchandise experience as a foundation, I worked at a farmers market in the summer months selling garden flowers for family members, creating bouquets and eventually doing some intimate weddings. Was presented an opportunity to buy a small floral shop and jumped at the opportunity…

How would you describe your design style? What trends do you see happening in flowers right now?

The key to being a good designer in retail today is to be versatile… I can create many styles of design, however, my favorite is anything that involves natural free flowing product much like it grows in nature partnered with mosses and branches.

Favorite flower?

Really, whatever I am working with at the time…. I like them all for different reasons

How do you hope to inspire your audience as one of our 2016 Mayesh Design Stars?

My goal is really to offer tips and tricks for good mechanics as well and inspiration to create…. Allow the product you are working with to guide you in the placement and final design.

And as a follow-up, what do you want them to take away from your videos?

Great design is awesome, impeccable mechanics are not optional and pricing for profit is essential to continued existence.

Lastly, what is one piece of advice you’d like to go back and tell yourself during the first year of designing?

The first year and really ALWAYS, be open to suggestions and learn from everyone you come in contact with! Floral design is a journey!